Catholic Bible Study Podcast

Episode: Matthew 17:14–18:9

Host: Dr. Tim Gray, Augustine Institute
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Tim Gray continues the in-depth study of the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on Matthew 17:14–18:9. Traversing the aftermath of the Transfiguration, Dr. Gray unpacks several key episodes: Jesus’ healing of the demon-possessed boy, the question of the temple tax, Christ’s teaching on humility and greatness in the kingdom, and severe warnings about causing others—especially children—to sin. The study seamlessly weaves historical context, theological reflection, and practical application for contemporary Catholics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. From Transfiguration to Chaos: The Healing of the Demon-Possessed Boy

(00:00–06:30)

• Connecting Mountaintop and Valley:
  Dr. Gray draws a parallel between Moses descending from Sinai (Exodus 32) to find Israel in chaos, and Jesus descending Mount Tabor after the Transfiguration to a scene of turmoil.

  “[...] when Jesus comes down the mountain with Peter, James, and John, just like Moses coming down Mount Sinai [...] you find chaos.” (04:15)

• Disciples’ Lack of Faith:
  The disciples fail to cast out a demon due to their "little faith," prompting Jesus to lament their spiritual ineptitude:

  “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?” (paraphrased, 04:45)

• Faith Like a Mustard Seed:
  Jesus highlights the power of even a small amount of true faith:

  “If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (05:30)

• Contemporary Application:
  Dr. Gray critiques the modern Church’s "little dinky faith” and calls for supernatural trust in God’s power:

  “Too many of us in the Church are like the disciples—believers of Jesus, maybe even some who are apostles, but ineffectual because their faith is so small.” (06:10)

2. Jesus Foretells His Death Again

(06:31–07:20)

• Jesus predicts his death and resurrection for a second time, but the disciples are unable to respond or understand, showing their ongoing spiritual dullness.

3. The Temple Tax and Christ’s Kingship

(07:21–16:50)

• Historical Background:
  Dr. Gray details first-century debates about whether the temple tax was required once or annually. Pharisees (and especially priests) insisted on an annual tax, while the Essenes argued for a single lifetime payment (09:00).

• Peter’s Authority and Blunder:
  Tax collectors approach Peter (not Jesus), acknowledging his role as Jesus’ representative and underscoring his authority just after Peter was given the keys (Matthew 16). Peter, perhaps a bit brashly, assures them Jesus will pay (10:40).

• Jesus Teaches Through a Question:
  Before Peter can discuss the promise he made, Jesus quizzically asks him whether kings tax their own sons or others.

  “Kings don’t ask tribute and taxes from their sons. [...] If you’re of the royal lineage, you don’t pay taxes.” (12:00)

• Jesus as Son and King:
  Jesus is of the Davidic royal line; as the true King, He should not owe tax. Yet to avoid scandal and for Peter’s sake, He’s willing to pay supernaturally, directing Peter to catch a fish holding a coin.

  “Pay that for you and for me, because it was a half-shekel tax.” (14:30)

• Deeper Theological Significance:
  This story is a subtle affirmation of Jesus’ kingship and Peter’s delegated authority.

  “Jesus honors Peter’s authority that he just gave him and yet doesn’t pay the tax directly from his pocket.” (16:00)

• Application:
  The exemption from taxes for the Church throughout history, Dr. Gray notes, connects directly to this unique theological foundation (16:28):

  “The Church is part of a kingdom that’s higher than the powers and principalities of this world.”

4. Who is the Greatest? Teaching on Humility and Childlikeness

(16:51–20:55)

• Disciples’ Question:
  After these episodes of authority and kingdom-talk, the disciples ask Jesus:

  “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (17:12)

• Jesus' Surprising Response:
  Jesus calls a child before them and holds out childlike humility as the greatest virtue in His kingdom.

  “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (18:00)

• Childlike Humility:
  Dr. Gray unpacks this call as a rebuke of pride, ambition, and self-seeking:

  “If you want greatness, you’ve got to have humility. You have to be childlike, innocent, simple, humble—not selfish, ambitious, self-seeking.” (18:35)

5. Seriousness of Leading Others—Especially Children—Into Sin

(20:56–24:40)

• Jesus’ Strong Warning:
  Christ delivers one of His most severe warnings:

  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (21:10)

• Modern Application—Gender Ideology:
  Dr. Gray applies this directly to modern concerns:

  “This is why I think it’s so important for us to stand up to this gender ideology that’s trying to tell kids that they can choose their own gender even when they’re age 8, 6, 5. This is child abuse, pure and simple.” (21:55)

• Warnings Against Sin and Final Destiny:
  Jesus outlines the gravity of sin and its consequences, alluding to the Maccabean martyrs and arguing that it's better to suffer physical loss than to fall into serious sin:

  “It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.” (23:15)
  Dr. Gray:
  “Let’s not be slaves to our body and to comfort because we’re made, as Pope Benedict would say, we’re made for more than comfort. We’re made for greatness.” (24:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Faith:

  “Our little dinky faith means that we get dinky results, and we have to have the courage to trust God.”
  — Dr. Tim Gray (05:50)

• On Childlikeness:

  “If you want greatness, you’ve got to have humility. You have to be childlike—innocent, simple, humble…”
  — Dr. Tim Gray (18:35)

• On Warnings Against Scandal:

  “It would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and be cast into the heart and depths of the sea…”
  — Jesus, as read by Dr. Tim Gray (21:10)

• On the Lesson of the Temple Tax:

  “It’s a beautiful way in which Jesus honors Peter’s authority that He just gave him and yet doesn’t pay the tax directly from his pocket.”
  — Dr. Tim Gray (16:00)

• Modern Application:

  “This is child abuse, pure and simple. And Jesus warns against it.”
  — Dr. Tim Gray (21:55)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Comparison of Transfiguration and Moses’ Descent – 02:30
• Jesus Rebukes Lack of Faith – 04:45
• 'Faith Like a Mustard Seed' Teaching – 05:30
• Background on the Temple Tax – 09:00
• Jesus’ Dialogue with Peter about the Tax – 12:00
• Miracle of the Coin in the Fish – 14:30
• Connection to Church Tax Exemption – 16:28
• Disciples Ask: Who Is the Greatest? – 17:12
• Jesus’ Teaching on Humility & Childlikeness – 18:00
• Warning Against Causing Children to Sin – 21:10
• Application to Modern Issues (Gender Ideology, Abuse) – 21:55
• Suffering for Fidelity over Sinning – 23:15
• Call to Embrace Suffering for the Sake of Holiness – 24:21

Conclusion

Dr. Tim Gray’s study of Matthew 17:14–18:9 skillfully connects first-century context, deep theological insights, and pointed application for Catholics today. He highlights faith’s necessity, the subtle affirmation of Jesus’ kingship, the transformative call to humility, and Christ’s urgent warnings about scandal—grounding it all in the lived experience of believers seeking to encounter the inspired Word of God.